rdo's

ua would hold out as long as he did. He's a civilian, not used to violence, but greed is a powerful moti

ts need my signature, so I get started on them. Might as well make a d

with Fabi close behind her. Their dresses swish around the

end of my p

rowing me off. Fabi looks the same, with her dark, wavy hair loose around her

nd her and gives me a ge

ns, but their characters cou

in front of my desk, her arms crossed over her

w you greet

on. We have a right to be angry at you. You switch the girl you're going to marry

nk my sisters would be a bit more grateful about the fact that I've allowed them to live in Geneva

've sent you texts."

anything. How did this happen? Rumors are that the oth

y fingers. "And for once,

ister instead?" Fabi asks, her

to me, and I'm c

. So you're forcing this

e. "For someone who just admitted to having no knowledge of the situation, you're m

e. "Is it true what they say about

tmare to be around. She lost

I say evenly. "Send anyone

me guy that was after her," Fabi says after a momen

, the last made guy Garzol

k to me. I've seen how s

a certain level of civilized beh

rved it." Fabi sw

a baboon. It was an important night

age?" Elen

ing touch w

led him, although Ava was far from mine when I

that didn't matter.

ears at my nape, and I ru

to snap like that. That would explain

h to murde

t it? It served to remind everyone abo

b the way one would in a

r dress. "Should we talk to her before y

our condolence

with the family for decades. She's seen it all, and she's loyal. I know nothing Ava says

ve you even had a conversa

l, but I've replayed each one of them in

d behind her ear.

n almond-shaped eyes, and the way she looks at me when sh

itely like having

while since I wanted to fuck someone as badly as I want to fu

t. Ava is as good as any other

o...she's going to be

nd if I had to guess, it

one I immediately recognize as ou

and when she notices Fabi and Elena, her steps fa

en again. "

for a second before she looks away. It used to bo

e shadow of my father inside my e

k some sense into him," El

od idea?" Elena implores. "Leo changes the woman he's marrying day

he family. I swear, I forgot some of these relatives even existed. Aunt Eliza went as far as to show up here in person, all to say I'm bringing

says, trying to be more diplomatic

lanned," I say. "Caterers sched

nyone would argue about the extra work the

me he delivers on his. After what happened with Isabella, I'm not taki

g on Ava's finger, but I'm not going to was

o. She's a human being. I get we're all about arranged marriages around

forcing her into this. How many times do I

rits he

ou haven't said anythi

ng put on the spot. "I think you should trust your brothe

ays take his side. I don't understand why you never q

ing look, asking me to

our concern for all those starving kids you've been trying to save by wo

ague tightening inside my chest, an echo of a feeling I us

es. "Charming," she bites out. "I can see that y

, but we're not close like some siblings are. I've always sensed their resentment, especially Elena's. We all know one day I'll have

s waiting for me." There's no need for me to entertain any more of this f

a Messero, and there abso- fucking-l